Cutler likely out 6 to 8 weeks with broken thumb

Hanie will take over as starting QB

November 21, 2011|By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter

The Bears won their fifth game in a row Sunday but suffered their biggest loss of the season in the process.

Quarterback Jay Cutler broke the thumb on his throwing hand, an injury expected to sideline him six to eight weeks, according to multiple sources. Surgery is an option, but the Bears have no immediate plans to place Cutler on injured reserve.

Coach Lovie Smith told WBBM-AM 780 on Monday that test confirmed a fracture but that the team doesn't know how long Cutler will be sidelined.

The Bears are deciding whether to have a pin inserted to aid in the healing process for Cutler, who could return for a playoff run if the 7-3 team remains in the hunt with fourth-year pro Caleb Hanie in the starting role.

Cutler suffered the injury with 10 minutes, 3 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the Bears' 31-20 win over the Chargers. He did it while attempting to tackle cornerback Antoine Cason after Cason's interception. Cutler was blocked to the ground by Chargers linebacker Donald Butler. His hustle allowed Matt Forte to keep Cason from scoring, and the Chargers failed to score after the turnover.

"Maybe Jay's biggest play of the game came on that interception, buying time for Matt Forte," Smith said. "Who would have thought we'd be talking about Matt Forte and Jay Cutler on a defensive play they made?"

Cutler finished the game despite the injury. His toughness was questioned last season when he suffered a second degree MCL sprain in the NFC championship game against the Packers and didn't return.

Smith did not address Cutler's injury after the game, saying the team had some "bumps and bruises" outside of long snapper Patrick Mannelly's significant knee injury.

"But we came out of the game in pretty good shape," Smith said.

Cutler also did not reveal anything about the injury during his postgame news conference. He only addressed being kneed in the back of the head during a third-quarter drive.

"I was fine," Cutler said.

It's hard to imagine the Bears will be fine without Cutler. Hanie's only extensive playing time came in the NFC championship game after Cutler's knee injury. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 153 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The Bears have a tough road test at Oakland next weekend and still have the undefeated Packers left on the schedule.

Rookie Nathan Enderle moves into the backup role behind Hanie. Signing a veteran quarterback wouldn't be far-fetched for insurance.